
See the gravity-defying Golden Rock
Witness the gold shimmering and reflecting the subtle hues from the rising and setting sun.
Golden Rock in Burma / Myanmar
© PSalaj,Shutterstock
Kyaiktiyo Pagoda
Kyaiktiyo Pagoda is the alternative name for Golden Rock. It's the second most important Buddhist pilgrimage site in Myanmar (Burma). People come from afar to touch the rock and feel closer to Buddha.


A sight to behold
At the height of the pilgrimage season (November to March) the atmosphere is charged with devotion. To reach the rock, you take a ride in an open truck from the base station. The vehicle will zig-zag up the mountain, a thrilling experience in itself lasting around 30 minutes. Once you alight, you continue to walk up the steep track. At the top your efforts are rewarded with the amazing sight of the rock, balanced, seemingly precariously, on the cliff edge, glistening in all its glory.
Hardcore hikers can walk the full 16km to The Rock, this will take between 4 and 5 hours. You'll be walking with local pilgrims, some barefoot, passing through the odd village before reaching your goal.
Golden Rock at dawn
If you are visiting and stay overnight, it really is worth getting up early to see the pagoda at dawn. Marvel at the moment as the sun rises behind the surrounding hills and mountains before it hits the Golden Rock. It’s a moment you won’t forget in a hurry.